resistors and capacitors: i need help!!!!!!!

[jonn]

:help: ok, i have a pickup setup im using and was wondering what capacitors or resistors to use on it but before that i need to know what resistors and capacitors do to pickups as far tone goes

the pickup setup is going on a les paul and there will be a single coil for the neck, a single coil for the middle and a humbucker for the bridge all using a 5-way selector switch
i was wondering where i might get schematics for that setup.

 

[AutoBat]

you can find most combinations for schematics at http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/

without knowing how many volume/tone knobs you're going to use, here's a sample schematic

what caps you use is up for debate, but there are some 'default' ones like 0.022uf or 0.047uf

different companies use different colors for their leads, so make sure you know which are which.


*yes i know the picture shows a strat, it's pretty universal, and yes the bridge is a humbucker in that diagram.

 

[D-rock]

The potentiometers are resistors themselves, well variable resistors if you want to get really technical. Their purpose is pretty obvious, a volume adds resistance so the electrical signal doesn't pass through, that is why you don't hear noise with your volume pot turned down. same goes with the tone. The resistance changes the frequency of the circuit by adding more resistance. Capacitors act as a frequency filter/ bleed. They attenuate certain audible ranges and it all depends on the value you use. I believe .1uf allows all frequencies to pass through and the higher you go in value the more mid range you get and the lower in value the more treble. (I might be wrong about this, you can probably find a good explanation here: http://www.beavisaudio.com/techpages/Caps/)

 

[jonn]

thx for scematics and the website guys that helps alot  :icon_thumright:

 

[stubhead]

In the wiring section, there's a sticky to a huge and growing list of links:

http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=281.0

This place is pretty good for general theory and use of the various components:

http://www.1728.com/guitar.htm

Stewart MacDonald has a bunch of stuff, and that little list on the left here has some basic explanations:

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electronics/Wiring_diagrams.html

Like, what IS a pot?:

http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Electronics/Pots.html

"Understanding guitar wiring", "how a tone control works" etc.

Premier Guitar magazine has an ongoing column by Dirk Wacker available for free, that cover a whole lot of theory and practical wiring too. 

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Default.aspx